Coupler



E. P. KINNE E'rAl.

'COUPLER Filed oct. 18, 1945 TORS;

INVEN Patented Aug. 14, 1945 COUPLER Edmund P; Kinneaha Frank H. Kayleif, huan@ Ohio, assignors to American Steel Foundries@` Chicago, Ill.,` a corporation of lNewtJersey i f Appiitatienoctoberl 1s, 1943sefiaiN'o. 506,644" 2`Q'o1aims.` ici. 21a-104)" Our invention relates'to'y car couplers and particularly to an automatic type of tight lock' coupler especially suitable for use on mine or indus-` trial cars. 1

Our invention is an limprovement of the car coupler more particularly described in United States Patent No.` 2,271,770, issued February 3, 1942i, in the name Edmund P. Kinne, and United States Patent No. 2,271,839,` issued February 3, 1942, in the name Frank H. Kaylern 1 i l `2 'I'he lockset arrangement for this type of coupler as commonly used and as described in the above-mentioned Kayler patent,` No;w2,271,839, provides that each time the couplers separate after being lockset, the rlockset will be` released thereby and the lock returned to normal position for locking uponthe next engagement of the coupler with a mating coupler. This? arrangement insures that coupling will always take place when mating couplers meet without the requirement lof any manual operation to'put the parts in positionforcoupling. i A l Under certain conditions =prevailing-in mines and sometimes in other operations,` as when acar is spotted on a dump' oron a hoist, it is sometimes required thata mating car be` uncoupled and separated from an adjacent car in orderto permit dumping of one car. When'the carsare engagedA again after dumping, as, for'example, to pushone'car off ofthe dump or hoist, the couplers must not be permitted to lock but the pushed car must be free to run underthe impulse imparted to it while the pushing car' remains on'the hoist or dump. L i

In order to permit this typeof operatioman auxiliary lockset is required over and above-that above mentioned, which will permitcouplers to engage each otherwithoutcoupling.` Byathe use of such an auxiliary lockset, the coupler parts may thus be kept in unlocked position until the unlock: ing arm or lever is released from theauxiliary lockset either by manual means or automatically by tripping devices such as maybe mountedfor that purposel on the tra/ck in proper position between the rails. Such a' tripper may consist of,y a cam or lever pivotally and'resiliently mounted in such manner as to cause the auxilary'anticreep to be released by engagement of the trip lever with the operating arm of the coupleru 'The resilient means holding said trip lever in position maybe effective to trip theV auxiliary lockset while at theis to devise a'novel and practicable form of aux# illary lockset for Isuch` as coupler as that .above mentioned. 1v 1 lOur novel coupler contemplates acouplersuch as that` described, having` a normal lockset;` and lock-'to-the-lock `whichlfunctions by engagement with ia` por-tion of a mating coupler as well :asan auxiliary lockset which mayfunction byengage ment with a portion of fthelockset couplerff Our invention alsofcontemplates a `novel form of enel-piece unlocking forwoperatingrarm having at one end lock` connectingmeans, `at the opposite end link `connecting means, andat: intermediate points a normal lockset shoulder and an auxiliary lockset shoulder and `further, such van operating arm wherein said `normal :lockset shoulder `may be at thetop of saidarmandthefauxiliary lockset shoulder may be atone side thereof. i Q1 In the drawing; Figure. 1 isa top plan view,

.partly in section,nof'mating couplers `embodying our invention. Figure 1A is fa fragmentary view-inside ele-A vation of the locked couplers as'shownin Figure 1, the section being taken substantially inthe vertical `plane indicated bythe line A-Aof Figure l and looking upward. f z

Figure 2fis a sectional view through the mating couplers approximately in the vertical transverse plane indicated by'theline 2-2 of Figurel.` t f Figures 3, 4 and? 5 show the'detail'of ournovel form of operatingarm, Figure 3 being ja top plan view thereof, Figurei -aside elevation taken from the bottomjasseen in Figure 3, and Figureffan end view takenffrom the left'as seen 'in FigureA;

As illustratedjthe couplersand 4 are -ide'nticali each having avnose por-tionhousing allockq, pivoted at lllwithin said nose'and arrangedffor abutrrlent"` as at I2 withthe" lock of the mating coupler, all as `described in the before-mentioned Kayler patent.' "Each lock'' is engaged by an' operating arm Mythe hoek endls (Figure'eY-of said operating arm engaging-"over the' bridge 18 of the lock 8 and the oppositeend of the operating arm beingrecessedas 'at` 2`0` for the reception of the nnk zzjwmch maybe pivtauysecuedthere; toas at 24, said linkTarnung.a` 'portion'o'f an op-v erating chain. 1 i y' When, the lock parts are in normallocked 'position, as illustratedfin :coupler1 4 (Figure 1); the operatingarm `I4 is withdrawn "into thecoupler head and the associated compression spring 26 is in its most expanded position under' compression betweenthesprin'gkseat `28 at the hookendf the operating rodiFigurs 3 Aarid 4) andthe sidewall 30 of the couplerno'sefAs alsqillustrated in Figure' 1 the iofiimg pans1 bf the confier z are in auxiliary lockset position wherein the operating yarm I4 is withdrawn suiciently to permit the auxiliary lockset shoulder 32 to engage as at 34 the tapered flange 36 on the side of the coupler head. When the parts of the mating couplers are in these respective positions, the couplers obviously may be parted, since the opposing locks 8, 8 may passeachotherfas at 38 without engaging.

Looking at Figure 2 which illustrates the nose of the coupler 2 received within the head cavity of the coupler 4, it may be seen that the normal lockset shoulder 4I) on the operating arm I4 of said coupler 2 is substantially below and clearof the normal lockset notch 42 on the side wall of the coupler 4, said normal lockset arrangement being .mments may be selectively used, one of which is automatically released upon separation from a mating coupler to provide for automatic locking upon designed to function as more particularly del scribed in said Kayler Patent No. 2,271,839. K

It will be understood thatv pulling of the chain 22, which is connected to the operating arm I4,

rreengagement with the same or another coupler; the other will be yunaffected by separation from or` rie-engagement Awith a mating coupler and must be released by manual means or by special y tripping means; When the auxiliary lockset is in The detail of our novel iorm'ol operating arm is shownl in `Figures 3, 4 and 5. It will be noted that the auxiliaryflockset shoulder. 32 is formed on' the side'of the operating arm,'whereas the nor mal lockset shoulder 40`is-forrnd On top of the arm. 'Looking' atF'igue 2, it will be observed .that the flange 36 is extended above the lockset portion as 'at-43,` said top portion 43 of the flange 36 being relatively 'wide as compared with the por- `rection of its length and laterally 'for engage= ment as'indioated in Figure 1. 'This' auxiliary lockset at '32; 34, being on the 'side Wall ofthe lockset Afooupler', 'is independent 'of the mating coupler and will not-be aiTe'cted when the couplers are parted. On tl're1other hand, in the normal lockset a't 40, 42,` the operating arm ofk the lockset coupleris engaged. with the side wall of the mating couplerv and parting 'of the couplers-'releases the lockset tofprovi'de for automatic lockingupon reengagement with. the same or another coupler.

' It willbeunderstood that the upper portion 43 of the Vertical iiange'36 affords a guard along Whichthe auxiliary lockset shoulder 3,2 may ride as the operating arm is moved into engagement with thenormal lockset, shoulder 42 of a mating coupler.` Thus,when. the operating arm I4 is moved in an upward direction, any possible engagement of .the auxiliary lockset shoulder at A34 is prevented because thefspring 26 will go solid before the auxiliary lockset shoulder y32 can clear the edge of the widened portion 43a :In other words,`the vsolid height of the spring 26 measures the amount thatthe Ioperating arm can be withdrawn and this .fis su'ch a distance that the auxiliary lockset shoulder 3-2 Willnot clear the edge of the widened portion 43 on the flange 316.

:It will thus be seen that in our novel arrangement anormal locksetl is provided for thev operating arm of a lockset coupler` on a r portion of a mating coupler twhilean auxiliary lockset may position, therefore, a coupler may be engaged with a mating coupler for the purpose of pushing the car upon which .the mating coupler is mounted without actually causing coupling therewith.. As already-described,l the track over'which the cars are operated may be provided'with a trippingl arm whichl `may-'be efective'lto strike and release the auxiliary lockset when: the car has passed away from the `hoist or dump, as the case maybe.' i I',

It is to' be understoodfthat Wedc not'wish to be limited by the exact embodiment lofthe de-` vice shown which is merely by-way of. illustration and not limitation as various and :other forms of the device Will; of course,.be apparent to those skilled in the art without-departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the' claims.

Weclaim:`

1.In an automatic carv coupling, mating couplerlheads eachl having locks arrangedto'pivot in a horizontal plane and adapted torengage each other, an unlocking arm'for each lock-having a portion projecting through the side Wallof the supporting coupler head, and a compression spring associated'with 'each arm, and operable to move said armv and the associated. lock to locking position uponrelease of said -arm Iromlockset each of vsaid arms' havingangularly'l spaced ylockset shoulders adapted selectively to engage means on said respective heads, positioning` of either of said arms yon certain of said lockset shoulders being effective to maintain said lockset upon parting of said-coupling, and positioning of said arm upon the other of said lockset `shoulders causing ysaid lockset to bereleased. upon parting of saidcoupling. y n 2. In an automatici-tight lock coupling,v mating coupler `heads-'each having locking means comprising a'pivoted lock and operating means there-p for including ai lock actuating arm normally housed Within the associated coupler head, spring means associated with each arm for returning the associated lockvtollocking' ,posit-ion upon release of said arm from lockset; eacharm' having a normal lockset for engagement with the matin-g couplerheatl and an -alternatelockset for engagement with thel lhead L carrying said arm, normal lockset position of i either? 'of said; locks being such that parting of saidv7 couplers; willl release said normal lockset and `alternate locksetof` either of ,said locks'being such that parting offsad -couplers may beA elected without disturbing said alternate lock- Sel?. ,y v "gjr-A ,y

3`.=In an automatic car coupling, matingy coupler heads each havinglocks. arranged to pivotina horizontal plane l and adapted to, engage each other, an unlocking` arm yfor each lock having a portion projecting through the sidefwallfoi' the supporting coupler'head, and acomp'ression spring associated with each arm for returning saidV arm to locking 'position when released from lockset, `eachofsaid arms having angularly spaced lockset shoulders'selectively adaptedto engage means on said respective heads, positioningof either'of said arms on certain of said locksetshoulders being effective to maintainsaid lockset upon parting of said couplinggand positioning of said arm upon thejother of `said,lockset shoulders causing said lockset `to be `released upon parting of said coupling.

4. In an automatic car coupling, mating coupler heads each having locks arranged to pivot in a horizontal plane and adapted to engage each other, an unlocking arm for each lock having a portion projecting through the side wall of the supporting coupler head, and a compression spring associated with each arm for resisting movement of said arm from locking position, each of said arms having angularly spaced lockset shoulders adapted selectively to engage means on said respective heads, positioning of either of said arms on certain of said lockset shoulders be- La ing effective to withdraw the associated lock out of position for engagement with the lock of the mating head upon parting of said coupling.

5. In an automatic coupler, a coupler head, a lock piv-oted therein for movement in a horizontal plane, an unlocking arm pivotally connected to said lock and resilient means under compression between a portion of said arm and the adjacent 6. In an automatic tight lock coupling, mating coupler heads each having locking means comprising a pivoted lockand operating means therefor including a resiliently restrained lock actuating arm normally' housed Within the associated coupler head, each arm having a normal lockset for engagement with the mating coupler head and an alternate lockset for engagement with the head mounting said arm, normal lockset position of either of said locks being such that parting of said-couplers will release said normal lockset.

'7. In an automatic tight lock coupling, mating coupler heads each having locking means comprising a pivoted lock and operating means therefor including a resiliently restrained lock actuating arm normally housed within the associated coupler head, each of said arms having a normal lockset for engagement with the mating coupler head and an alternate lockset for engagement with the associated head, said normal lockset and alternate lockset being spaced along said arm at intermediate points thereof With said normal lockset shoulder on the top of said armand said alternate lockset shoulder at one side thereof.

8. In an automatic tight lock coupling, mating coupler heads each having locking means comprising a pivoted lock 'and operating means therefor including a'spring-resisted lock actuating arm normally housed within the associated coupler head, each of said arms having a normal lockset for engagement with the mating coupler head and vinterl'neydiate points thereof.

lockset beingangularly spaced along" saidarm at 10. In an automatic tight lock coupling, mating coupler heads each having locking means comprising a pivoted lock and operating means therefor including a resiliently restrained lock actuating arm normally housed Within the associated coupler head, each of said arms having a normal lockset for engagement with the mating coupler head and an alternate lockset for engagement with the head mounting said arm.

11. In an automatic coupler, a coupler head, a lock pivoted therein for movement in a horizontal plane, an unlocking arm pivotally connected to said lock and resilient means under compression between a portion of said arm and the adjacent side wall of said head for resisting unlocking movement of said arm, said arm projecting through said head for connection to actuating means, and a plurality of lockset shoulders angularly spaced along said arm for selective engagement with said head or alternately with a matan alternate lockset for engagement with the as- 1 sociated head, said normal lockset and alternate ing coupler head.

12. In an automatic car coupling, mating coupler heads each having locks arranged to pivotl in a horizontal plane and adapted to engage each other, an unlocking arm for each lock having a portion projecting through the side wall of the supporting coupler head, and a compression spring associated with each arm for resisting unlocking movement thereof, each of said arms having angularly spaced lockset shoulders selectively adapted to engage means on said respective heads.

13. In an operating arm for an automatic coupler, lock connecting means at one end, means at the other end for connection to operating mechanism, and linearly spaced lockset shoulders at intermediate points on said arm, one of said lockset shoulders being angularly spaced about the longitudinal axis of said arm approximately n'inety degrees from the other thereof.

14. An unlocking arm for an automatic coupler comprising lock connecting means at one end, means at the other end for connection to actuating mechanism, an auxiliary lockset shoulder spaced from'said lock connecting means, and a normal lockset shoulder more remotely spaced therefrom and angularly positioned with respect' to said rst mentioned shoulder.

15. An unlocking arm for an automatic coupler comprising lock connecting means at one end, means at the other end for connection to actuating mechanism, a normal lockset shoulder linearly spaced from said lock connecting means, and an auxiliary lockset shoulder intermediate said normal shoulder and said lock connecting means and angularly positioned with respect thereto.

16. In an automatic tight lock coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a resiliently restrained pivoted lock for engagementv Withthe lock of the mating coupler, and operating means for each lock comprising an unlocking arm having lockset shoulders for selective engagement With means on said heads.

17. In an automatic coupling, a coupler head,

resiliently restrainedlock pivoted therein, and operatingmeans for said loclenciuding an operatngl arm-having angularly spacedv lockset shoulders adapted alternatively. to engage means on said head and means on. a mating head.

. y210. In an automaticcar coupler, a head, a lock `pivoted therein, and a resiliently reacting lock actuating arm having angularly spaced lockset means for selective engagement .with means on 10 said head and means ona mating head.

EDMUND P.

y FRANKHKAYLER. 

